Pulleys and Wheel and Axle Worksheet
Engineer's tip (Count the ropes): Fixed pulley: changes direction, effort = load. Pulley system: effort = load ÷ supporting rope sections; rope pulled = lift height × that number. Wheel and axle: MA = wheel radius ÷ axle radius; effort = load ÷ MA.
NameDateTime takenScore ___ / 40
- 1.🪝 A pulley system has 1 rope section holding up the load. To lift the load by 10 m, how many metres of rope must you pull?
- 2.True or false: a movable pulley only changes direction. (a) False (b) True
- 3.🪝 A winch has a wheel of radius 40 cm and an axle of radius 5 cm. What effort on the wheel lifts a 640 N bucket on the axle, in newtons? (ideal)
- 4.🪝 A winch has a wheel of radius 5 cm and an axle of radius 1 cm. What effort on the wheel lifts a 350 N bucket on the axle, in newtons? (ideal)
- 5.🪝 A winch has a wheel of radius 32 cm and an axle of radius 4 cm. What effort on the wheel lifts a 640 N bucket on the axle, in newtons? (ideal)
- 6.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one halves the effort? (a) a movable pulley (b) a fixed pulley
- 7.🪝 What does a single fixed pulley change? (a) the direction of pull (b) the colour of rope (c) gravity (d) the size of the load
- 8.True or false: a fixed pulley rises with the load. (a) True (b) False
- 9.True or false: a movable pulley hangs on the rope loop. (a) True (b) False
- 10.True or false: a fixed pulley needs effort = load. (a) True (b) False
- 11.True or false: a movable pulley stays in one place. (a) False (b) True
- 12.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one hangs on the rope loop? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 13.🪝 A pulley system lifts a 460 N load with an effort of 230 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 14.True or false: a movable pulley is on a flagpole top. (a) True (b) False
- 15.🪝 A wheel and axle is a big wheel fixed to … (a) a sharp wedge (b) a loose rope (c) a smaller rod (axle) (d) a flat ramp
- 16.🪝 A bucket weighing 250 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 17.🪝 A load of 60 N hangs from a pulley system in which 3 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 18.🪝 A bucket weighing 240 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 19.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one rises with the load? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 20.🪝 More rope sections holding a load means … (a) the load floats (b) less effort needed (c) more effort needed (d) no change
- 21.True or false: a movable pulley needs effort = load. (a) False (b) True
- 22.🪝 A pulley system lifts an 880 N load with an effort of 220 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 23.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one only changes direction? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 24.🪝 A bucket weighing 90 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 25.🪝 A well winch has a handle (wheel) of radius 8 cm turning an axle of radius 1 cm. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 26.🪝 A bucket weighing 280 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 27.🪝 A pulley system has 2 rope sections holding up the load. To lift the load by 4 m, how many metres of rope must you pull?
- 28.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one stays in one place? (a) a fixed pulley (b) a movable pulley
- 29.🪝 A bucket weighing 230 N is lifted with a single fixed pulley at the top of a well. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulley, no friction)
- 30.🪝 A winch has a wheel of radius 4 cm and an axle of radius 1 cm. What effort on the wheel lifts a 200 N bucket on the axle, in newtons? (ideal)
- 31.🪝 A load of 560 N hangs from a pulley system in which 4 rope sections hold up the load. What effort is needed, in newtons? (ideal pulleys)
- 32.🪝 A pulley system lifts a 1000 N load with an effort of 250 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 33.🪝 A winch has a wheel of radius 6 cm and an axle of radius 2 cm. What effort on the wheel lifts a 510 N bucket on the axle, in newtons? (ideal)
- 34.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one is on a flagpole top? (a) a movable pulley (b) a fixed pulley
- 35.True or false: a movable pulley halves the effort. (a) True (b) False
- 36.True or false: a fixed pulley only changes direction. (a) True (b) False
- 37.🪝 Fixed or movable pulley: which one needs effort = load? (a) a movable pulley (b) a fixed pulley
- 38.True or false: a fixed pulley stays in one place. (a) False (b) True
- 39.🪝 A pulley system lifts a 180 N load with an effort of 90 N. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
- 40.🪝 A well winch has a handle (wheel) of radius 24 cm turning an axle of radius 4 cm. What is its mechanical advantage (MA)?
Answer key
- 10
- False
- 80
- 70
- 80
- a movable pulley
- the direction of pull
- False
- True
- True
- False
- a movable pulley
- 2
- False
- a smaller rod (axle)
- 250
- 20
- 240
- a movable pulley
- less effort needed
- False
- 4
- a fixed pulley
- 90
- 8
- 280
- 8
- a fixed pulley
- 230
- 50
- 140
- 4
- 170
- a fixed pulley
- True
- True
- a fixed pulley
- True
- 2
- 6
Free engineering lessons, practice and worksheets at talentjr.in/engineering-for-kids